British border Controls at Holyhead

c4cat

My wife, child and I were pretty much treated like criminals on arrival at Holyhead arriving from Dublin. they now have police and customs checking every foot passenger coming off the boat. Customs had their dogs sniffing all passengers and a dog took interest in me. A British customs officer pulled me up and explained to me that the Dog was trained to find drugs or large amounts of cash and asked if I had either. I explained I had UKP1000 which was for our family shopping trip to the UK. I was told that we were going to be asked questions under the money earned from the proceeds of crime act and my Wife and I were seperated and quizzed about the cash I had, what, why and how are we doing our trip to the UK. Our passports were take into a room to be checked on the UK Police data base. All this time we were held there with a tired child at 1am in the morning. While I was waiting I had to fill out a green landing card giving all my personal details. After about 15 mins. The police officer came out with our passports saying "thankyou all is in order you can proceed"

Seems this is now the norm for travel to the UK...............

reverandkenjami

Definately not the norm!! Was there last tuesday and there was a large crowd heading to liverpool for the match. Not a single person was checked by police/customs... So it must be a random thing

sounds like they were looking for someone

Mac daddy

That doesn't sound right at all.
Unless they are worried we are going to take over there jobs

S.I.R

you un-lucky sod...


on a good day they feel you up.


Second base

jetsonx

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/christy-moore-frightened-by-detention-at-holyhead-151152.html

K-9

Ah the 80's.

Remember them? It's like reincarnation.

gurramok

Didn't think a 1000 pounds was too much to attract attention? Whats the limit?

ScumLord

c4cat wrote: »

Seems this is now the norm for travel to the UK...............

How is it the norm? It's a random check, I've taken the ferry to the UK a good few times and every so often you get stopped and checked.

c4cat

gurramok wrote: »

Didn't think a 1000 pounds was too much to attract attention? Whats the limit?

There is not a limit to the amount of cash one can carry, but one has to justify how one has the amount one is carrying and for what reason too

Soby

Dogs can distinguish between small and large sums of cash..Even sniffing out cash???wierd

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

I explained I had UKP1000 which was for our family shopping trip to the UK.

Let me tell you about this wonderful new invention called credit cards.

Why are you carrying 1,000 pounds sterling on you?

c4cat

ScumLord wrote: »

How is it the norm? It's a random check, I've taken the ferry to the UK a good few times and every so often you get stopped and checked.

It was more then random most of the passengers especially males were targeted. I was also checked last month traveling with a male friend

gurramok

Soby wrote: »

Dogs can distinguish between small and large sums of cash..Even sniffing out cash???wierd

Well, every euro note has a trace of cocaine on it as proven by scientists!

c4cat

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Let me tell you about this wonderful new invention called credit cards.

Why are you carrying 1,000 pounds sterling on you?

cos credit cards rob you in charges each time you use them especially if its a foreign transaction charge

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

cos credit cards rob you in charges each time you use them especially if its a foreign transaction charge

Obviously a much better idea to carry a large amount of cash with you. Sure if you get mugged you can always call up the cash company and cancel the notes that they took off you......

....... oh wait.

kraggy

c4cat wrote: »

My wife, child and I were pretty much treated like criminals on arrival at Holyhead arriving from Dublin. they now have police and customs checking every foot passenger coming off the boat. Customs had their dogs sniffing all passengers and a dog took interest in me. A British customs officer pulled me up and explained to me that the Dog was trained to find drugs or large amounts of cash and asked if I had either. I explained I had UKP1000 which was for our family shopping trip to the UK. I was told that we were going to be asked questions under the money earned from the proceeds of crime act and my Wife and I were seperated and quizzed about the cash I had, what, why and how are we doing our trip to the UK. Our passports were take into a room to be checked on the UK Police data base. All this time we were held there with a tired child at 1am in the morning. While I was waiting I had to fill out a green landing card giving all my personal details. After about 15 mins. The police officer came out with our passports saying "thankyou all is in order you can proceed"

Seems this is now the norm for travel to the UK...............

Sorry to hear that.

reverandkenjami wrote: »

Definately not the norm!! Was there last tuesday and there was a large crowd heading to liverpool for the match. Not a single person was checked by police/customs... So it must be a random thing

Might not have been the norm when you arrived but could be the norm over the next few months thanks to them idiots who carried out them atrocities up north.

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Let me tell you about this wonderful new invention called credit cards.

Why are you carrying 1,000 pounds sterling on you?

Let me tell you that not everyone has, nor likes to have, a credit card.

People are in enough debt as it is without paying 20+% on a card as well.

gurramok

c4cat wrote: »

cos credit cards rob you in charges each time you use them especially if its a foreign transaction charge

How is that?

I've paid for my NI shopping by CC numerous times, i get the daily exchange rate and there has been no extra charges?

AnonoBoy

kraggy wrote: »

Let me tell you that not everyone has, nor likes to have, a credit card.

People are in enough debt as it is without paying 20+% on a card as well.

Credit cards are actually a very handy thing to have if you can handle your money and pay it off every month instead of letting it build up to ridiculous amounts. If people aren't able to control their spending then fair enough, don't get one.

To me, it seems fuppin' stupid to be carrying large amounts of cash around with you.

AnonoBoy

gurramok wrote: »

How is that?

I've paid for my NI shopping by CC numerous times, i get the daily exchange rate and there has been no extra charges?

I think he means if he takes money out at a cash machine using his credit card.

Which is stupid.

philologos

If the authorities have suspiscions I think they should have certain rights to interview people entering certain juristictions under. After all it was merely 15 minutes? Consider yourself lucky! No doubt others have been kept for longer before.

kraggy

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Credit cards are actually a very handy thing to have if you can handle your money and pay it off every month instead of letting it build up to ridiculous amounts. If people aren't able to control their spending then fair enough, don't get one.

To me, it seems fuppin' stupid to be carrying large amounts of cash around with you.

Or ya could get mugged by the credit card company in the form of ridiculous interest.

Saibh

You could have used your bank card - I did when I went to London, no need to bring cash or use credit card if you didn't want to.

c4cat

gurramok wrote: »

How is that?

I've paid for my NI shopping by CC numerous times, i get the daily exchange rate and there has been no extra charges?

I have no need to or intend to justify my personal choices in how I prefer to handle my financial transactions, as I conduct them totally legally.

AnonoBoy

kraggy wrote: »

Or ya could get mugged by the credit card company in the form of ridiculous interest.

If you actually pay the money off every month it proves to be not that expensive at all.

I'd rather do that than risk losing 1,000 pounds due to getting mugged by one of them English foreigners.

gurramok

c4cat wrote: »

I have no need to or intend to justify my personal choices in how I prefer to handle my financial transactions, as I conduct them totally legally.

So? I did not imply you were doing anything illegal!

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

I have no need to or intend to justify my personal choices in how I prefer to handle my financial transactions, as I conduct them totally legally.

Me think the poster doth protest too much.

'fess up OP - where's the cash coming from? Insurance scams? Drug running?

You can tell us.

kraggy

AnonoBoy wrote: »

If you actually pay the money off every month it proves to be not that expensive at all.

I'd rather do that than risk losing 1,000 pounds due to getting mugged by one of them English foreigners.

Ah, that's better.

Now, where were we? Oh yes, I was saying how you are wrong.

Just kiddin. Yeah I see your point but I have a chip on my shoulder from another thread a couple of years ago where a guy was trying to make out that if you don't have a credit card you are not a man yet and have a lot of maturing to do.

I know. Pleb of the highest order.

But that's why I don't like people saying you SHOULD have one as cc's have got people in to a lot of strife in the past.

AnonoBoy

kraggy wrote: »

Ah, that's better.

Now, where were we? Oh yes, I was saying how you are wrong.

Just kiddin. Yeah I see your point but I have a chip on my shoulder from another thread a couple of years ago where a guy was trying to make out that if you don't have a credit card you are not a man yet and have a lot of maturing to do.

I know. Pleb of the highest order.

But that's why I don't like people saying you SHOULD have one as cc's have got people in to a lot of strife in the past.

Oh - that's only those people who have them in their real name.

I, on the other hand, have..... I've said too much. :cool:

c4cat

gurramok wrote: »

So? I did not imply you were doing anything illegal!

So i am free to use cash, if I so desire, is that so?, and if so why should I be told I should use another method? however wrong you think my choice to be, its my own freedom of choice I am using. If ones freedom of choice is being questioned by authorities then where is that freedom of choice

gurramok

c4cat wrote: »

So i am free to use cash, if I so desire, is that so?, and if so why should I be told I should use another method? however wrong you think my choice to be, its my own freedom of choice I am using. If ones freedom of choice is being questioned by authorities then where is that freedom of choice

Its just loads of cash is not a safe method to carry around anymore and in the modern times, going around with alot of cash raises eyebrows, its just the way it is.

Plus you have to watch the pickpockets and not get drunk either

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

So i am free to use cash, if I so desire, is that so?, and if so why should I be told I should use another method? however wrong you think my choice to be, its my own freedom of choice I am using. If ones freedom of choice is being questioned by authorities then where is that freedom of choice

You still have the choice. But they have the freedom to question you. Just as I have the freedom to suggest that carrying large amounts of cash is slightly foolish.

It's freedom ya see.

Pete P Peterson

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Let me tell you about this wonderful new invention called credit cards.

I agree. Once, when I was working undercover for a drug cartel in Columbia, I spotted those guys trading with this "cash" you speak of. I almost vomited. To this day when I see someone at an "ATM" I slap them hard and firm across the face and tell them what idiotic, vile pigs they are for using the currency of gun-runners and drug-dealers. "Cash? CASH?" I cry, "Don't you know us civilised folk use nothing less than credit cards?" Then I spit on the ground before them, sweep my cape over my shoulder and storm off in a huff.

P'ah!!!

c4cat

gurramok wrote: »

Its just loads of cash is not a safe method to carry around anymore and in the modern times, going around with alot of cash raises eyebrows, its just the way it is.

Plus you have to watch the pickpockets and not get drunk either

I am never never that stupid to flash my cash and I use common sense

Well here is what my bank charges for taking out UKP30

20/04/2009 FOREIGN ATM - WDL FEE - 3.17
20/04/2009 SKIPTON 18/04 15:40 - 33.98

and thats thats the Perm TSB which is over 9.5% of the amount withdrawn as a fee. How do you suggest getting around that fee? withdraw a larger amount, that defeats the objective of using plastic

projectmayhem

c4cat wrote: »

My wife, child and I were pretty much treated like criminals on arrival at Holyhead arriving from Dublin.

Are you, in fact, a criminal?

Pete P Peterson

projectmayhem wrote: »

Are you, in fact, a criminal?

No his child is. Devious little speciman I hear. Wanted in 42 different countries. God Bless those British.

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

I am never never that stupid to flash my cash and I use common sense

Well here is what my bank charges for taking out UKP30

20/04/2009 FOREIGN ATM - WDL FEE - 3.17
20/04/2009 SKIPTON 18/04 15:40 - 33.98

and thats thats the Perm TSB which is over 9.5% of the amount withdrawn as a fee. How do you suggest getting around that fee? withdraw a larger amount, that defeats the objective of using plastic

But why would you take out cash if you have a credit card?

c4cat

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You still have the choice. But they have the freedom to question you. Just as I have the freedom to suggest that carrying large amounts of cash is slightly foolish.

It's freedom ya see.

Well the bottom line is freedom is an illusion we see it but in truth we do not really have it, cos we do not have choices if we can not make them without having questions as to why we make our legit choices

AnonoBoy

Pete P Peterson wrote: »

No his child is. Devious little speciman I hear. Wanted in 42 different countries. God Bless those British.

Cash carrying little perp too I hear.

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

Well the bottom line is freedom is an illusion we see it but in truth we do not really have it, cos we do not have choices if we can not make them without having questions as to why we make our legit choices

That's commie talk.

No wonder you got stopped at the port.

c4cat

projectmayhem wrote: »

Are you, in fact, a criminal?

Yea I was carrying cash of ill repute

CaptainSkidmark

thats mad, i know guy's that carry that kind of money around with them all the time.

Wish i was being held till 1am tonight over 1000 stg i had lol

Pete P Peterson

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Cash carrying little perp too I hear.

I know. It's almost like he has no regard for the multi-national credit card companies, and/or the whimsical impatience of a british Bulldog doing his all to protect queen and country against the upstarts in green. Bastard!!!

c4cat

AnonoBoy wrote: »

But why would you take out cash if you have a credit card?

Well do they give them to persons of ill repute?

AnonoBoy

c4cat wrote: »

Well do they give them to persons of ill repute?

It's actively encouraged.

Pete P Peterson

Hey look guys, this is getting out of hand. All I can say is, I sympathise with the OP - I once went to Wales and instantly regretted it. Partly because I was strip-searched and accused of some random, potential, nothing crime that may or may not have happened. But mainly because I realised I was in Wales.

netwhizkid

Similar thing happened to me at US immigration at Shannon once. Irish people have a love affair with cash and we are the highest users of the stuff in the EU. We love to carry around large sums in our wallets and purses, wheras alot of people throughout Europe and the US carry maybe upto €50 or Dollars wheras I would never personally leave the house without a bare minimum of at least €200 in my wallet and can sometimes carry upto 5 or 6 hundred on me. I am not loaded but this is just normal for me. Alot of Irish people have upto 4 or 5 grand in dry cash sitting in shoebox or hidden in their homes, most of which goes back to economic calamity's of the past and distrust in giving your money to banks for safe keeping.

I travelled to Dublin recently with some friends and on the train we got some coffees and my friends girlfriend who is only 19 had €1,000 on her in cash, I spotted the sum in her purse as she was paying for her coffee and gave her a quick heads-up about the pickpockets and general scummers who loiter around the Luas machines etc. I do tend to carry less in higher risk areas. I will never forget at 17 getting an envelope from my Uncle and not being told of its contents only to guard it with my life as I flew home from NY to his brother my other uncle here and I gave him the envelope only for there to have been $15,000 in it, another time over $40k was shipped home and we had great fun winding them up of "how my sister got mugged" on her way to the airport:D.

It was easier to move cash as the relation in question was sending home money to pay for construction of his new house and since moved back to Ireland, (illegal emigrant thus the cash). Some Irish construction workers who were not legit on the site (tax avoiders) got paid in Dollars and I am sure they were a bit confused with the whole thing and probably thought we were drug dealers or money launderers.

Piste

gurramok wrote: »

Well, every euro note has a trace of cocaine on it as proven by scientists!

Every euro note you say?

RATM

netwhizkid wrote: »

It was easier to move cash as the relation in question was sending home money to pay for construction of his new house and since moved back to Ireland, (illegal emigrant thus the cash). Some Irish construction workers who were not legit on the site (tax avoiders) got paid in Dollars and I am sure they were a bit confused with the whole thing and probably thought we were drug dealers or money launderers.

Thats gas:D hey did Bertie work on that building site by any chance? Might explain how he somehow had the equivalent of $50k in his AIB account :pac:

Run_to_da_hills

OP this is just a taste of whats to come, just wait until the UK authorities implement E_Borders. :eek:

c4cat

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

OP this is just a taste of whats to come, just wait until the UK authorities implement E_Borders. :eek:

Yep and George Orwell thought he was writing a fiction story about the future, when in fact it was more like a prediction